Late News: CMS: boost drug, Advantage performance through standards

The CMS in a proposed rule is seeking to improve performance of its prescription drug and Medicare Advantage plans by strengthening standards to participate in the Medicare program. The proposed changes aim to clarify program requirements for more than 4,000 prescription drug and health plans offerings and improve protections for Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in these plans. Specifically, the agency is seeking to strengthen its ability to identify and approve qualified drug and health plans; improve Medicare beneficiary protections from discriminatory cost-sharing by clarifying health plan requirements relating to out-of-pocket costs and cost-sharing, and eliminate duplication in drug and health plan bids submitted by the same organization. The CMS is also proposing to collect all prescription drug event data elements for nonpayment purposes “to provide more accurate information for analysis of how people with Medicare are using their Part D plan benefits,” according to a statement from the agency. Comments are due Dec. 8.